GRETNA – A 57-year-old woman is suing a corporate retailer claiming she was wrongfully detained at one of and accused of shoplifting.
Robin R. Williams, and husband Joseph, filed suit against Dillards Corporation and Jason Dennis in the 24th Judicial District Court on June 9.
Williams contends that on March 27, 2013, the day of her 57th birthday, her husband gave her $400 to use for a shopping trip at Lakeside Mall in Metairie. The plaintiff asserts that when she went shopping she took along with her a reusable plastic bag from T.J. Maxx where she stored a diamond ring she purchased from Macy’s that was in her possession when she entered Dillards located at 3301 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie.
Williams claims that when she was shopping in Dillard’s she temporarily placed items in the T.J. max in her possession so she could grab her wallet and that is when Dennis, a loss prevention officer, detained her in the basement of the store and accused her of shoplifting. The plaintiff alleges the defendants called the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office who gave her a citation, but the charges were later dismissed when Dennis failed to appear at a court hearing.
Williams contends that Dennis had an incentive to detain her as loss prevention officers receive bonuses for catching alleged shoplifters. Further, the plaintiff asserts she did not have an arrest record before the incident and the seven month long process necessary to expunge the record caused her to be unable to pass a background check necessary for employment.
The defendant is accused of negligence.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for lost wages, permanent loss of employment, loss of earning capacity, defamation, anguish, humiliation, depression and medical bills.
Williams is represented by attorney Sally D. Fleming of New Orleans.
The case has been assigned to Division K Judge Ellen Shirer Kovach.
Case no. 750-474.